Chap. 801.—An ACT to incorporate the Virginia state fair and agricultural
association.

Approved March 3, 1898.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That W. T. Gil-
christ, R. S. Cromwell, John Mariner, James F. Mariner, James Bar-
clay, W. E. Dillion, M. McKevitt, of Norfolk, Virginia, and such other
persons ag may be hereafter associated with them, be, and they are
hereby, created a body politic and corporate by and under the name
and style of the Virginia state fair and agricultural association, and by
that name they may sue and be sucd, plead and beimpleaded, in all the
courts of this state or elsewhere; have perpetual succession; have and
use a common seal, which may be altered and renewed at pleasure; and
may adopt and ordain such by-laws, ordinances and regulations as they
may think wise and proper, and generally may do everything necessary
to carry this act into effect and to promote the object and designs of the

said corporation: provided, that such by-laws, ordinances, regulations
and acts shall not be inconsistent with the laws of this state or of the
United States or with this charter.

2. The said corporation shall have power to establish and conduct an
agricultural fair in the county of Norfolk annually or at other intervals;
to raise, develop and promote the improvement of horses and other live
stock in the state of Virginia; to own, buy, sell, solicit and hold auc-
tion sales of the same in the state of ‘Virginia or in any other part of
the United States, and to export the same to foreign countries; to estab-
lish and maintain a drivi ing club and track or tracks for trials of speed;
to hold all kinds of athletic games, sports and trials of skill, but noth-
ing in this act shall be coustrued as authorizing prize- fighting, and to
promote and encourage the same by awarding premiums of money or
one rewards, and to promote and encourage the same generally.

The said corporation shall have a capital stock of not less than five
thousand dollars nor more than one hundred thousand dollars, and the
same shall be divided into shares of the par value of fifty dollars each.
The said corporation shall have the power and right to prescribe the
manner in which said capital stock may be paid and called for without
giving any notice thereof. Stockholders of the said corporation shall
not be personally liable for any debt, contract or obligation of the said
corporation, except to the extent of the unpaid balance of their sub-
scriptions to the capital stock.

4. The said corporation shall have the power to hold and own as much
land ag may be suitable for its purposes, not to exceed five hundred
acres at any one time. It shaJl have power, if in the judgment of its
board of directors it shall become necessary to do 60, to execute and
issue its notes, bonds or other evidences of debt, and to secure the same
by mortgage or deed of trust upon its real estate, personal property and
franchises. It shall also have power to sell and dispose of its lands and
personal property, or any part thereof, at any time.

5. The oflicers of the said corporation shall consist of a president, a
vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer and a board of not less than five
nor more than fifteen directors, inclusive of the officers above named,
who shall be directors by virtue of their office. But the oflices of presi-
dent and treasurer, or of secretary and treasurer, may, at the pleasure of
the board of directors, be held by the same person.

6. The principal office of the said corporation shall be in the city of
Norfolk, and the annual election of officers shall be held in said city.
Until there shall be an election of officers the following persons shall
manage the affairs of the said corporation—to wit: WT. Gilchrist shall
act as president; R. 8S. Cromwell as vice-president; John Mariner as
treasurer; W. FE. Dillion as secretary, and the said persons, with James
Barclay, James F. Mariner and M. Mckevitt, shall constitute the board
of directors.

7. By accepting this charter said corporation agrees to pay all taxes
and dues to the state of Virginia in legal currency “of the United States.

8. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby re-
pealed.

9. This act shall be in force from its passage.